Actuaries institute partners RSS for data science workshops

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) are delighted to announce plans to collaborate on the exploration of the practical and ethical implications in the rapidly developing field of data science.

We believe that this partnership is especially relevant, drawing on our respective expertise, experience and strong professional values in the application of numerical science, twinned with a shared overarching commitment to the public interest.

This exploration will initially focus on a series of workshops in Manchester, London and Edinburgh (details tbc) for data science practitioners and those considering becoming practitioners. The London workshop is supported and hosted by the Alan Turing Institute.

The workshops’ initial outputs are to be published in the autumn, to be followed by practical guidance for practitioners.

We are grateful to all of the members of our respective working parties who have helped in making this collaboration possible, not least, Trevor Llanwarne (member of the IFoA Methods, Analysis and Insight from Data (MAID) working group and RSS treasurer).

Marjorie Ngwenya, IFoA president, said: 'We are truly delighted to be partnering with the Royal Statistical Society on exploring the far-reaching impacts of data science. By fully exploring the implications of this emerging field, we ensure that the actuarial profession remains fit for the future.'

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, RSS president and IFoA honorary fellow, said: 'The RSS is very pleased to be working with the IFoA to explore the implications of data science for our respective professions. As the use of data in society proliferates, we must ensure practitioners are competent and trustworthy in how they use data, in order to guard the public interest. Professional bodies have an important role to play here.'